After my return from Philaa I recd your favour of the 9th Octr and soon afterwards as it was in my power, I consulted with Majr Lewis upon the proposition it contained— The delay which has taken place in returning you an answer has not proceeded from an indisposition in us to grant to you & Mr Alexander the indulgence asked for, but from the difficulty of arranging the business in such a way as to render the estate we represent & ourselves individually perfectly secure— That we [s]hould proceed with circumspection in a matte